New Navy uniform unveiled in Darwin
2 December 2008
A new and improved operational uniform for Navy personnel has been introduced into service and distributed for the first time in Darwin.
Officers and sailors in Patrol Boats protecting Australia's northern waters on Operation RESOLUTE have been the first to be issued the Disruptive Pattern Navy Uniform (DPNU), which will now be rolled out to all 16,000 Royal Australian Navy (RAN) personnel nationwide.
The two piece outfit with its distinctive disruptive grey, green and black pattern is a significant change from the one piece grey overalls which are presently worn across Navy. The DPNU is designed to be more comfortable and practical for Navy personnel, especially in warmer climates.
The uniform will also clearly identify Navy personnel as Australian as it is comprised of the traditional AUSCAM pattern. It is not, however, intended to be used in a camouflage role.
Commanding Officer of the Attack 4 crew, LCDR Viktor Pilicic said his crew were flattered to be the first to wear the new uniform.
"It's not often that you get to be part of such a first. We have been trialling a prototype of the uniform since this time last year so the crew knows how good this uniform is for the type of work we do," said.
The DPNU will soon become a common sight outside Navy bases with personnel permitted to wear their new outfits on the way to and from work.
RAN personnel will still wear traditional 'dress of the day' (for example the white uniform is summer) when in an office environment and on ceremonial occasions.
Imagery of the DPNU is also available on the defence website at www.defence.gov.au/media/download.
Media contact:
Defence Media Liaison: 02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
Regional Manager Public Affairs – NT: Steve Mullins 08 8935 8491 or 0411 885 994
